Abstract

VILA, Alejandro R.; GALENDE, Gladys I.  and  PASTORE, Hernán. Feeding ecology of the endangered huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus) in Los Alerces National Park, Argentina. Mastozool. neotrop. [online]. 2009, vol.16, n.2, pp.423-431. ISSN 0327-9383.

The huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus) is one of the most endangered and less known neotropical deer. We evaluated its diet in Los Alerces National Park, Argentina. Botanical composition of the diet was studied seasonally using microhistological analysis of fecal samples. Twenty six of the 72 available plant species were recorded in the huemul diet. The annual diet was largely dominated by shrubs (mean + SE= 64.7 + 2.4%) and trees (28.1 + 2.4%). Forbs and grasses only represented 4.6 + 1.1% and 2.5 + 0.6%. The huemul predominantly fed on Nothofagus sp., Maytenus sp., Embothrium coccineum, Schinus patagonicus and Gaultheria mucronata. Diet composition changed significantly between warm-growing and cold-dormant periods. The annual niche breadth was low, indicating a diet concentrated on few species. The data obtained on huemul diet is consistent with the concentrate selector feeding strategy, as was suggested in similar studies for the species in other locations.

Keywords : Cervidae; Deer; Diet composition; Feeding strategy; Patagonia.

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